A driving tip from that miserable old man who lives two houses down from me.

[LuckyCharms]

If you are driving down a straight road and plan on making a right turn, the safest way to do this is to slow down to approximately 3 miles per hour about one half mile before your turn. This action signals to the driver behind you that you intend to turn soon.

When you reach your turn, come to a complete stop just before you turn your steering wheel. This indicates to other drivers that your turn is imminent. Be sure to turn your head 360 degrees to make sure it is safe to turn, and that there are no unexpected cows in the road. Continue this for 45 seconds.

Turn the corner as slowly as possible, watching carefully for any unexpected things in the road, such as cows, etc.

When your turn is complete, turn your right turn signal on, and leave it on for at least the next 3 miles. This informs other drivers that your turn is complete.

[ExciteBike66]

1. Get off my lawn. nt

[redstatebluegirl]

2. If you are lucky you will be old someday.

Giving up the car and your mobility is the hardest thing to do. Many rural people are able to keep theirs longer because all they do is go to town once a week. Not saying it is right just asking for understanding. We had to take my Dad's car away and it was the toughest thing we ever did. I cried, he cried it was terrible. A little compassion for this man would be good.

[LuckyCharms]

3. OK

1) It was a joke based on real life experience.

2) I spent years being a care giver for my elderly mother. I watched her pass away.

3) I am old.

4) This is the lounge.

[redstatebluegirl]

4. Sorry I didn't notice it was the lounge, I don't go there at all.

I forgot that anything goes in there. My apology. It is just something we just went through and it was fresh.

[LuckyCharms]

5. I'm sorry for what you went through.

I understand.

It stays with you.

[padah513]

6. Thanks for that

I needed a laugh this morning.

[LuckyCharms]

7. I don't feel bad because the guy was a prick even when he was younger...

and you're welcome.

[Croney]

8. My pet peeve...

is when their right turn begins by taking a wide swing to the left like they’re driving a semi. Mostly old people do this, and I chalk it up to their past vehicles being giant cars that were hard to steer. I’m old but I guess I never had a big car.

[LuckyCharms]

9. Yes, I could never understand that move...

I remember the days before power steering...you would just have to crank hard and fast on the wheel...no need for that big wide berth.

[geardaddy]

19. That's my pet peeve, too.

I see younger drivers do it all the time. I also see people do that when taking left turns.

[Marthe48]

23. We live on the OH/WV border

A lot of WV drivers on this side of the river. In general, they swing to the left to turn right. My husband was from WV, didn't do that, and that turning method peeved him. Once he said that all WV drivers must have had the same drivers' ed. teacher.

[raccoon]

55. some younger people swing out as you described. Annoys me too. nt

[demosincebirth]

76. ...and no power steering.

[Evergreen Emerald]

10. File an incident report with DMV

They take those reports seriously and may ask him to take a drive test to determine if he should still be on the roadway.

[barbtries]

11. funny.

just yesterday the person driving the car in front of me coming out of work decided to stop for the green light. it's frustrating.

[aggiesal]

39. That reminds me of a joke ...

More like a riddle.

You ask anyone you know
“How do you spell shop.”
Everyone spells it correctly S-H-O-P

Then quickly ask them
“What do you do when you come to a GREEN light?
Everyone says STOP!
Then realize that I said Green not Red.

[FailureToCommunicate]

12. There's a reason 'geezers' have the lower insurance rates.

It's frustrating - and hazardous- for other drivers, but it's better that zipping around town at 40 mph, at least as far as accidents goes.

[Trueblue Texan]

13. Too funny!

I think I used to live down the street from this guy!

[flygal]

14. UGH are you the young whippersnapper who tailgates me when I drive 5 over the speed limit?

[world wide wally]

15. I didn't know you lived in my neighborhood

[Snarkoleptic]

16. As a cotton top, I generally do the same, but with an onion tied to my belt.

[geardaddy]

20. I'll give you two bees for that onion.

[Myrddin]

17. I bet he's never had a traffic accident...

...but, seen hundreds in the mirror?

[infullview]

18. OMG!

How many times have I seen this! I see these cars rolling down the road and I think to myself that they go to the church of "Our Lady of the perpetual left blinker".

On this topic, does anyone ever have a problem with green mini vans loaded up with religious bumper stickers?

[Soxfan58]

21. I hope you have a little more compassion

When your the old man two houses down.

[steve2470]

44. amen

The poor guy might have good reasons to be miserable.

[gordianot]

22. My Grandfather was a fan of the Missouri turn.

It was a rural phenomenon but you might see it in town. The driver accelerates goes into the opposite lane then makes his turn signal opitional. If there is traffic in the opposite lane you come to a near stop then make your turn. He claimed it was a hold over from the days cars did not have blinkers and you used hand signals, people did not want to get their arm wet. He also claimed it was accepted practice but it really set him off.

[maddiemom]

34. I'm a senior citizen, now,

but blinker signals were the norm, when I learned to drive. Nonetheless, we had to learn hand signals in driver's ed in case we were ever driving an "old" car.

[gordianot]

40. If Grandpa was still with us he would be 120+.

I still see this done.

[delisen]

24. Cell-phone-to ear-drivers are the worst.

Last edited Wed Oct 11, 2017, 10:53 AM - Edit history (1)

...or maybe the texters.

[hurple]

25. Funny!

I think I've been behind this guy a few times.

[Augiedog]

26. On top of that he was driving a dodge demon

[AllaN01Bear]

27. This?

[Not Ruth]

28. Ageism for the win

[steve2470]

45. OP claims to be "old" also

Hm...

[LuckyCharms]

60. Relax. You'll get through this.

[MontanaMama]

29. I sitting here having coffee

and laughing so hard I’m crying. My spouse is looking at me like I’m nuts, which I probably am but this thread made my morning. It’s the little things...

Thanks LuckyCharms.

[LuckyCharms]

61. You're welcome...

I'm glad you got a laugh from it!

Good way to start the day.

[meadowlark5]

30. Oh my gosh! I just encountered an elderly man yesterday - you definitely have to keep an eye on them

In fact, I thought he was coming to a stop in the middle of the road for some reason. I was behind him and he was approaching an intersection out of a parking lot - but into a neighborhood, not a busy road. He continued to slow down almost like stopping but slowly rolled to the intersection.

We got on the road up to the next intersection which is much busier. He was rolling into the left turn lane. I was going right and was going to zip past him to make my right turn when he made an extremely quick move into the right lane. Surprised he had reflexes that fast. I almost hit him and slammed on my brakes. He was so elderly, he was looking *through* the steering wheel.

I understand the want and need to keep driving for independence - but elderly people can be so dangerous behind the wheel.

[SpankMe]

31. Sonds like you've me my curmudgeon office mate. n/t

[justgamma]

32. If you're from a small town

you don't need blinkers, because everyone knows where you're going.

[Major Nikon]

37. If you have a big dent on every fender you don't really need them either

[mountain grammy]

33. I've seen it and

hoping I'm not doing it.. very funny

[LuckyCharms]

49. I think I do it sometimes...

never know when a cow is going to jump out...

[mountain grammy]

51. Exactly!

[LuckyCharms]

52. Seriously, here is what happened to me recently...

As I age, I'm getting these weird eye floaters. Sometimes they come out my side field of vision. The other day, I got one when I was driving and I thought something was darting in front of the car a,d slammed on my brakes.

When I realized it was just a floater, I was grateful that there was nobody behind me.

Floater was shaped like a cow. One of them road cows.

[mountain grammy]

53. Seriously, get that checked.

[LuckyCharms]

54. Oh I do, every 6 months...

Retina specialist. Nothing serious yet.

[mountain grammy]

56. Good, glad to hear that.

[LuckyCharms]

57. Thank you for the advice though...

It is good advice. The eyes tell a story about your health. This retina doc takes a pic of your eyes every 6 months. He saw a piece of plaque that had dislodged from somewhere else in my body and lodged in my eye. This led to an embolic workup by another doc, which led to a diagnosis of a heart problem, which led to blood thinners. Ya never know...

[mountain grammy]

58. You're welcome..

Don't follow my own advice as often as I should, but do take care of my teeth and eyes.. My dental hygenist discovered my high blood pressure, and a suspicious mole on my husband's neck. I always called her my primary care physician.

[LuckyCharms]

59. I hope that your blood pressure is

easily controllable, and that your husband's mole is non-cancerous.

I've been on BP pills for awhile, and it has been under control until recently. Have to see my primary care in 2 weeks to get that sorted out.

I've also had skin cancer.

Getting older is great! Get together with your friends and talk about your health lol.

I have a saying..."I used to be hot shit, but now I'm just a cool turd in a dixie cup".

[mountain grammy]

66. Hahaha that's funny!

Yes, thank you, my BP is easily controlled with lisinopril and husband's mole was benign. We are so lucky to be as healthy as we are.

Hope your BP gets under control. Mine improved with 20 minutes/day on the treadmill, so did my attitude, which is still pretty shitty but I'm trying. Getting old takes courage.

[Major Nikon]

35. Don't forget to throw out the speed brake

[doc03]

36. You forgot to mention the Trump/Pence sticker on his bumper nt

[JayhawkSD]

38. Your title makes it seem like not a joke.

"A driving tip from that miserable old man who lives two houses down from me."

It doesn't set the stage for the light-hearted joking post.

[Phentex]

42. That's what set it up as funny to me...

It's as though the neighbor is providing these tips.

[delisen]

41. autonomous vehicles are the answer

for all-old, young, middle-aged. All winners with self-driving vehicles-except perhaps people will now be pressured to be productive during commutes.

[Phentex]

46. I'm not ancient

but I want one! I hate driving for the most part.

[steve2470]

43. let me guess, you're under 40 ?

Maybe he has good reasons to be miserable ? Maybe he's had a really hard life, is poor now, has no relatives, etc etc etc ?

Have some compassion, young man/lady. Or middle aged man/lady. One day you'll join the seniors, if you're lucky.

[LuckyCharms]

47. Thank you, but I am an old and compassionate man who has...

1) Been through a few things

2) Been there for a few people when they needed someone

3) Held a few elderly people in my arms when they died

2) Likes to find humor in life's situations

Here's some advice from this old guy: Please don't assume that you know one thing thing about a person's character because you read a humorous anecdote they typed on the internet.

[steve2470]

48. "Miserable old man".....

Come on "old guy", I turn 60 next year and I will NEVER type that phrase.

I suggest you re-examine your psyche. Nuff said. Bye.

[LuckyCharms]

50. LOL

ok

[Ohiya]

62. Number one complaint from older drivers...

... is tailgaters.

Number one complaint from younger drivers - people who drive too slow!

[GoneOffShore]

63. American drivers universally suck.

Just back from 3 months in France and coming back to the US I'd forgotten how awful the driving is here.
No lane discipline, no turn indicators, people pass on the right all the time, tailgate, and text while driving. No regard for speed limits here which are pretty strict in France (they have radar activated speed cams and the ticket comes in the mail along with points on your license - too many points and it's off to driving school with you).
The list goes on.
I'm glad that we ditched our car two years ago.

[Skittles]

64. you want I should kick some miserable old fuck ass, LuckyCharms?

I WON'T TAKE ANY GRAPES WITH ME; no INDEED

[steve2470]

65. grapes ? nt

[Skittles]

68. LUCKYCHARMS LOVES HIM SOME KINK

YES INDEED

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1018&pid=994317

[steve2470]

69. lol nt

[LuckyCharms]

67. seedless? i like seedless...

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

70. I stopped as I was making a right turn yesterday.

And a big red pickup truck driver was forced to wait, and wow did he lay on the horn to let me know that he had places to go.

I just ignored him for a few seconds, then completed my turn, after the bicyclist cleared the intersection.

LuckyCharms, give us elder drivers a break, sometimes we DO know what we're doing.

[LuckyCharms]

71. I'm an elder driver.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

72. Ok, so next time I see someone driving for miles with the turn signal on, ...

... I'll wave to you.

I'll even buy the coffee. We elder drivers gotta stick together.

[LuckyCharms]

73. I'm sure I've done worse than descibed in the OP...

so look for the old guy singing out of key at the top of his lungs.

Coffee sounds good.

[rickford66]

74. I assume he was a hatman.

[red dog 1]

75. I love that "Be sure to turn your head 360 degrees"

(Reminds me of The Exorcist)

K&R

[Iggo]

77. QUIT FOLLOWING ME!!!

:SHAKESFIST: